Protective Glove with Conductive Stitching

ABSTRACT

A glove with an electrically non-conductive base and an electrically conductive layer stitched to the base with electrically conductive thread. The base has a body and a plurality of finger receptacles each having an end that is joined to the body. The electrically conductive layer is stitched to an end of one of the finger receptacles opposite the end that is joined to the body. Preferably, the base includes a number of panels stitched together with electrically conductive thread that is electrically coupled to the thread joining the conductive layer to the base.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a glove, and moreparticularly to a glove with conductive stitching.

2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Gloves have been developed with conductive material for use withcapacitive sensing devices, such as mobile phone touchscreens, and forelectrostatic discharge (ESD) protection. One type of capacitive sensingdevice glove is made entirely from threads that are coated with aconductive material. While this type of glove works with capacitivesensing devices, it does not provide significant thermal protection tothe wearer's hand due to the fact that the glove's threads are coatedwith a conductive material. Another type of capacitive sensing deviceglove includes a liner with an electrically conductive portion in afingertip region of the glove that is electrically coupled with anelectrically conductive portion of an outer shell of the glove. Thisglove does not provide significant thermal protection to the wearer'sfingertips due to the conductive material in that region of the glove.

Gloves adapted for ESD protection are typically constructed from aconductive material such that every plane of the glove is conductive.Accordingly, conventional ESD gloves do not provide significant thermalprotection. ESD gloves also cannot typically be worn when working nearelectrically charged matter due to the risk that the gloves will conductelectric current and shock the wearer. Conventional capacitive sensingdevice and ESD gloves also do not provide cut, puncture, or RF radiationprotection.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A glove in accordance with the present invention includes anelectrically non-conductive base and at least one electricallyconductive layer stitched to the base with electrically conductivethread. The base includes a body and a plurality of finger receptaclesjoined to the body. The body includes a first end with an opening forreceiving a hand and a second end. Each finger receptacle includes afirst end joined to the second end of the body and a second end. Theconductive layer is stitched to the second end of one of the fingerreceptacles. The non-conductive base of the glove preferably protects ahand wearing the glove from hot or cold temperatures, abrasion, and/orsharp instruments. The conductive layer and conductive stitching allow awearer of the glove to use a capacitive sensing device and use the glovefor electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection and radio frequency (RF)radiation protection.

Preferably, the base includes a plurality of panels that are stitchedtogether with conductive thread that is electrically coupled with theconductive thread joining the conductive layer to the base. Preferably,the conductive thread joining the base panels and the conductive threadjoining the conductive layer to the base are positioned to contact ahand wearing the glove. Preferably, an electrically conductive tab isstitched to the first end of the body with electrically conductivestitching. The tab is operable to be electrically coupled with agrounding wire when the glove is used for ESD protection. Preferably,there are index, middle, ring, and thumb conductive layers that arestitched with electrically conductive thread to the second end of indexfinger, middle finger, ring finger, and thumb receptacles. Theconductive thread joining all of the panels and layers of the glovepreferably ensures that the electric potential is the same throughoutthe glove.

Additional aspects of the invention, together with the advantages andnovel features appurtenant thereto, will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows, and in part will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learnedfrom the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of theinvention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalitiesand combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a palmar side of a glove in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 shows a dorsal side of the glove shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an inner surface of the palmar side of the glove shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows an inner surface of the dorsal side of the glove shown inFIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken through the line 5-5 shown inFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A glove in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention isgenerally identified as 10 in FIG. 1. Glove 10 includes an electricallynon-conductive base 12 and electrically conductive layers 14, 16, 18,and 20 that are stitched to finger tips and a thumb tip of the base 12with electrically conductive thread 22. The base 12 includes an innersurface 12 a, shown in FIG. 3, that is adjacent a hand wearing the glove10, and an outer surface 12 b, shown in FIG. 1. Electrically conductivelayers 14, 16, 18, and 20 cover a portion of the outer surface 12 b. Asshown in FIG. 3, thread 22 penetrates the inner surface 12 a of the base12 so that the thread 22 is positioned to contact the hand of a personwearing the glove 10 and electrically couple layers 14, 16, 18, and 20to the hand. The electrically conductive layers 14, 16, 18, and 20 andelectrically conductive thread 22 allow a person wearing glove 10 toutilize a capacitive sensing device and use the glove 10 forelectrostatic discharge (ESD) protection and radio frequency (RF)radiation protection. The non-conductive base 12 can be made frommaterials that are thermally insulating, wear resistant, cut resistant,and/or fire resistant. Further, the non-conductive base 12 reduces thelikelihood that the glove will conduct electric current and shock awearer working near electrically charged matter.

The base 12 includes a body 24 and index finger, middle finger, ringfinger, pinkie finger, and thumb receptacles 26, 28, 30, 32, and 34,respectively, that are each joined to the body 24. When the glove 10 isworn on a person's hand, body 24 generally covers the portion of thehand containing the carpal and metacarpal bones, while index finger,middle finger, ring finger, pinkie finger, and thumb receptacles 26, 28,30, 32, and 34 generally cover the index finger, middle finger, ringfinger, pinkie finger, and thumb of the hand, respectively.

Body 24 has a first end 36 with an opening 38 for receiving a hand and asecond end 40. Each of the finger receptacles 26, 28, 30, and 32 has afirst end 42 that is joined to the second end 40 of the body 24 and asecond end 44. Thumb receptacle 34 also has a first end 46 that isjoined to the body 24 and a second end 48. Electrically conductivelayers 14, 16, and 18 are joined to the second end 44 of fingerreceptacles 26, 28, and 30, respectively, and electrically conductivelayer 20 is joined to the second end 48 of thumb receptacle 34.

The non-conductive base 12 of the glove is formed from a plurality ofpanels that are stitched together along seams with electricallyconductive thread as described in detail below. Base 12 includes apalmar panel 50, dorsal panel 52 (FIG. 2), first and second thumb panels54 and 56, and first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth fingerpanels 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, and 68 (FIG. 4). Palmar panel 50 and dorsalpanel 52 are stitched together with electrically conductive thread 70along two seams 72 and 74 that run the entire length of the glove 10.Finger panels 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, and 68 are stitched to palmar anddorsal panels 50 and 52 with electrically conductive thread 70 to createfinger receptacles 26, 28, 30, and 32. First and second thumb panels 54and 56 are stitched to each other and to palmar panel 50 around anopening 76 (FIG. 3) in the panel 50 with electrically conductive thread70 to create thumb receptacle 34. Palmar and dorsal panels 50 and 52 arerolled and hemmed adjacent opening 38 with electrically conductivethread 78.

Palmar panel 50 has outer and inner surfaces 80 and 82 shown in FIGS. 1and 3, respectively, and dorsal panel 52 has outer and inner surfaces 84and 86 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, respectively. The inner surfaces 82 and86 are adjacent to and make contact with a hand wearing the glove 10.Referring to FIG. 5, seam 74, at which palmar and dorsal panels 50 and52 are stitched together, is a rolled seam such that the outer surfaces80 and 84 of the palmar and dorsal panels 50 and 52, respectively, abutat the seam 74. Electrically conductive thread 70 penetrates the panels50 and 52 at the location where the outer surfaces 80 and 84 abut sothat the thread 70 is positioned to contact a hand wearing the glove 10.Seam 72 has a similar rolled construction as seam 74 and thus is notdescribed in detail herein. The rolled construction of seams 72 and 74positions the conductive thread 70 adjacent the inner surfaces 82 and 86of the panels 50 and 52 in order to reduce the amount of conductivematerial adjacent outer surfaces 80 and 84 and increase the amount ofconductive material that is positioned to contact a hand wearing theglove 10. Reducing the amount of conductive material adjacent outersurfaces 80 and 84 reduces the likelihood that the glove 10 will conductelectric current and shock a person wearing the glove 10 when workingnear electrically charged matter. Increasing the amount of conductivematerial that is positioned to contact a hand wearing the glove 10increases the effectiveness of the glove 10 when it is used with acapacitive sensing device, for ESD protection, or for RF radiationprotection.

Referring to FIG. 4, glove 10 has an electrically conductive tab 88 thatis stitched to the dorsal panel 52 adjacent opening 38 with electricallyconductive thread 90. The tab 88 is rectangular and includes a portion88 a overlying the inner surface 86 of dorsal panel 52 and a portion 88b that extends beyond the first end 36 of the body 24. Thread 90contacts and is electrically coupled with the thread 78 at the hem ofpalmar and dorsal panels 50 and 52 surrounding opening 38. The thread 90and tab 88 are also positioned to be adjacent the inner surface 86 ofpanel 52 so that they contact a hand wearing the glove 10 and areelectrically coupled to the hand. The portion 88 b of tab 88 extendingbeyond the first end 36 of body 24 may be grasped and pulled to aid indonning the glove on a wearer's hand. Further, a grounding wire (notshown) may be clipped or otherwise electrically coupled to the tabportion 88 b in order to utilize the glove 10 for ESD protection or RFradiation protection.

Referring to FIG. 3, conductive thread 22 contacts and is electricallycoupled with the conductive thread 70 that joins the palmar and dorsalpanels 50 and 52 and finger panels 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, and 68 (FIG. 4).Conductive thread 70 contacts and is electrically coupled withconductive thread 78 that hems the palmar and dorsal panels 50 and 52adjacent opening 38. As shown in FIG. 4, conductive thread 78 contactsand is electrically coupled with conductive thread 90 that joins tab 88to dorsal panel 52. Thus, conductive layers 14, 16, 18, and 20, shown inFIG. 1, are electrically coupled with thread 22, 70, 78, and 90 due tothe contact between layers 14, 16, 18, and 20 and thread 22, the contactbetween thread 22 and thread 70, the contact between thread 70 andthread 78, and the contact between thread 78 and thread 90. Conductivelayers 14, 16, 18, and 20 are also electrically coupled with conductivetab 88 due to the contact between layers 14, 16, 18, and 20 and thread22, the contact between thread 22, 70, 78, and 90, and the contactbetween tab 88 and thread 90. Further, conductive layers 14, 16, 18, and20, conductive tab 88, and conductive thread 22, 70, 78, and 90 are allelectrically coupled with a hand wearing the glove 10 due to the contactbetween the hand, tab 88 and thread 22, 70, 78, and 90. The electricalconnections between layers 14, 16, 18, and 20, thread 22, 70, 78, and90, tab 88, and a hand wearing the glove 10 lower the overall electricalresistivity of layers 14, 16, 18, and 20 which enhances theireffectiveness for use with capacitive sensing devices. Further, theelectrical connections between layers 14, 16, 18, and 20, thread 22, 70,78, and 90, tab 88, and a hand wearing the glove 10 provides acontinuous conductive pathway that allows the glove 10 to be effectivelyused for ESD protection and RF radiation protection. Because the threads22, 70, 78, and 90 are electrically coupled, they penetrate all of thepanels making up base 12 and layers 14, 16, 18, and 20, and they contactthe wearer's hand, the threads 22, 70, 78, and 90 ensure that theelectric potential throughout the glove 10 and the hand is the same.Equalizing the electric potential throughout the layers and panels ofglove 10 and the hand prevents the generation of static electricitywhich may be caused by the different panels and layers of the glove 10rubbing against each other and the hand.

The panels 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, and 68 making up thenon-conductive base 12 of the glove 10 are preferably made from leather,neoprene, aramid, a blend of cotton and polyester, or a combination ofany of the foregoing materials. It is within the scope of the inventionfor different panels of base 12 to be made from different non-conductivematerials. For example, the dorsal panel 52, or a portion of the dorsalpanel 52, may be made from one material, while the palmar panel 50and/or remainder of the dorsal panel 52 is made from a differentmaterial. The electrically conductive layers 14, 16, 18, and 20 and tab88 are preferably made from conductive polyurethane or from a knit orwoven combination of threads including aramid, rayon, and stainlesssteel. The electrically conductive threads 22, 70, 78, and 90 arepreferably made from a blend of aramid, rayon, and stainless steel. Mostpreferably, the threads 22, 70, 78, and 90 include at least 33%stainless steel by weight and 40% aramid with the remainder being fireresistant rayon.

In operation, glove 10 is donned on a wearer's hand. The non-conductivebase 12 protects the wearer's hand. The base 12 may be thermallyinsulating to protect the hand from heat or cold, and wear and cutresistant to protect the hand from abrasion and sharp instruments. Theelectrically conductive layers 14, 16, 18, and 20, due to the electricalconnections described above, allow the user to wear the glove and use acapacitive sensing device such as a mobile phone touchscreen by touchingthe capacitive sensing device with the layers 14, 16, 18, and 20.Further, the electrically conductive layers 14, 16, 18, and 20,conductive thread 22, 70, 78, and 90, and conductive tab 88 allow theglove to be worn for ESD protection when working on sensitiveelectronics and RF radiation protection. Preferably, a grounding wire iselectrically coupled with tab 88 when the glove 10 is used for ESDprotection. Because the majority of the electrically conductive layersand threads are not exposed on the exterior of the glove 10, thelikelihood that the glove will conduct electric current and shock aperson wearing the glove 10 when working near electrically chargedmatter is reduced.

While the preferred glove 10 is described above and shown in FIGS. 1-5,many alternative embodiments of gloves are within the scope of thepresent invention. For example, glove 10 may be made from a differentnumber of panels and layers that are stitched together in a differentmanner then described above and shown in the drawings. For example, thedorsal panel 52 may comprise two discrete panels that are joinedtogether. Further, it is within the scope of the invention for the glove10 to have an adjustable strap allowing the glove to fit on hands ofdifferent sizes. Tab 88 may be stitched to palmar panel 50 instead ofdorsal panel 52. Further, it is within the scope of the invention forthe glove 10 to not include a tab 88. The glove 10 may also have more orless electrically conductive layers 14, 16, 18, and 20 then describedabove. Additionally, the particular configuration of the stitching oflayers 14, 16, 18, and 20 to base 12 with conductive thread 22 shown inthe drawings is exemplary only. In particular, it is within the scope ofthe invention for the X-shaped stitching shown in FIG. 1 on the layers14, 16, 18, and 20 to be omitted and for each of layers 14, 16, 18, and20 to be stitched to base 12 only around its peripheral edge. Further,it is within the scope of the invention for the base 12 of the glove 10to have more layers than described above and shown in the drawings. Forexample, the base 12 could have an inner liner that is joined to andpositioned inside of panels 50 and 52 for added comfort or warmth. Ifthe base 12 of the glove 10 has additional layers, preferably thoselayers are stitched to the remainder of the base 12 with conductivethread that is electrically coupled with the conductive thread 22, 70,78, and 90 in order to ensure that the electric potential remains thesame throughout all layers and panels of the glove 10 so that staticelectricity is not generated if the glove's panels rub against eachother or the hand wearing the glove.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to attain all ends and objectives herein-above set forth,together with the other advantages which are obvious and which areinherent to the invention.

Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that allmatters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to beinterpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

While specific embodiments have been shown and discussed, variousmodifications may of course be made, and the invention is not limited tothe specific forms or arrangement of parts and steps described herein,except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims.Further, it will be understood that certain features and subcombinationsare of utility and may be employed without reference to other featuresand subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope ofthe claims.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is asfollows:
 1. A glove that is operable to be worn on a hand, comprising:an electrically non-conductive base comprising a body and a plurality offinger receptacles joined to said body, wherein said body comprises afirst end with an opening for receiving a hand and a second end, andwherein each of said finger receptacles comprises a first end joined tosaid second end of said body and a second end; and at least oneelectrically conductive layer stitched to said second end of one of saidfinger receptacles with electrically conductive thread.
 2. The glove ofclaim 1, wherein said base comprises palmar and dorsal panels that arestitched together at a seam with electrically conductive thread that iselectrically coupled with said electrically conductive thread that joinssaid electrically conductive layer to said finger receptacle.
 3. Theglove of claim 2, further comprising an electrically conductive tabstitched to said first end of said body with electrically conductivethread that is electrically coupled with said electrically conductivethread that joins said palmar and dorsal panels and said conductivelayer.
 4. The glove of claim 2, wherein said electrically conductivethread that joins said electrically conductive layer to said fingerreceptacle and said electrically conductive thread that joins saidpalmar and dorsal panels are positioned to contact a hand received bysaid opening in said body.
 5. The glove of claim 2, wherein saidelectrically conductive thread that joins said electrically conductivelayer to said finger receptacle and said electrically conductive threadthat joins said palmar and dorsal panels ensure that the electricpotential throughout said base and said layer are the same.
 6. The gloveof claim 2, wherein each of said palmar and dorsal panels comprises anouter surface and an inner surface that is adjacent a hand received bysaid opening in said body, and wherein said seam is rolled such thatsaid outer surfaces of said palmar and dorsal panels abut at said seamand said electrically conductive thread that joins said palmar anddorsal panels is positioned to contact the hand.
 7. The glove of claim1, wherein said base comprises an inner surface that is adjacent a handreceived by said opening in said body and an outer surface, wherein saidelectrically conductive layer covers a portion of said outer surface,and wherein said electrically conductive thread penetrates said innersurface so that it is positioned to contact the hand.
 8. The glove ofclaim 1, wherein said plurality of finger receptacles comprises index,middle, ring, and pinkie finger receptacles operable to receive index,middle, ring, and pinkie fingers of the hand, respectively, wherein saidbase further comprises a thumb receptacle with a first end joined tosaid body and a second end, and further comprising index, middle, ring,and thumb electrically conductive layers stitched to said second end ofsaid index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and thumb receptacles,respectively, with electrically conductive thread.
 9. The glove of claim1, wherein said base comprises leather, neoprene, aramid, or a blend ofcotton and polyester.
 10. The glove of claim 1, wherein saidelectrically conductive layer comprises polyurethane.
 11. The glove ofclaim 1, wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises aramid,rayon and stainless steel.
 12. The glove of claim 1, wherein saidelectrically conductive thread comprises aramid, rayon, and stainlesssteel.
 13. The glove of claim 12, wherein said electrically conductivethread comprises at least 33% stainless steel by weight.
 14. A gloveoperable to be worn on a hand, comprising: an electricallynon-conductive base comprising a plurality of panels that are stitchedtogether along at least one seam with a first electrically conductivethread, wherein said panels define a body and a plurality of fingerreceptacles joined to said body, wherein said body comprises a first endwith an opening for receiving a hand and a second end, and wherein eachof said finger receptacles comprises a first end joined to said secondend of said body and a second end; and at least one electricallyconductive layer stitched to said second end of one of said fingerreceptacles with a second electrically conductive thread, wherein saidfirst and second electrically conductive threads are electricallycoupled and at least one of said first and second electricallyconductive threads is positioned to contact a hand received by saidopening in said body.
 15. The glove of claim 14, further comprising anelectrically conductive tab stitched to said first end of said body witha third electrically conductive thread that is electrically coupled withsaid first and second electrically conductive threads and saidconductive layer.
 16. The glove of claim 14, wherein said first andsecond electrically conductive threads ensure that the electricpotential throughout said base and said layer are the same.
 17. Theglove of claim 14, wherein each of said panels comprises an outersurface and an inner surface that is adjacent a hand received by saidopening in said body, and wherein said seam is rolled such that saidouter surfaces of said panels stitched together along said seam abut atsaid seam and said first electrically conductive thread is positioned tocontact the hand.
 18. The glove of claim 14, wherein said base comprisesan inner surface that is adjacent a hand received by said opening insaid body and an outer surface, wherein said electrically conductivelayer covers a portion of said outer surface, and wherein said secondelectrically conductive thread penetrates said inner surface so that itis positioned to contact the hand.
 19. The glove of claim 14, whereinsaid base comprises leather, neoprene, aramid, or a blend of cotton andpolyester.
 20. The glove of claim 14, wherein said electricallyconductive layer comprises polyurethane or a blend of aramid, rayon, andstainless steel.
 21. The glove of claim 14, wherein said electricallyconductive thread comprises aramid, rayon, and stainless steel.